New Bedford Fire Displaces 11 Residents

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — Two people were hospitalized and 11 residents displaced after a Sunday afternoon fire in New Bedford’s West End.

The New Bedford Fire Department received multiple 911 calls for a structure fire at 213 West Street at about 2:23 p.m. Sunday.

Engine 7 arrived first and reported heavy fire coming from a first floor window that had spread to the building next door, and multiple people were hanging out the third-floor apartment windows.

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Firefighters were able to assist the residents in escaping the fire, as crews entered the first floor apartment to extinguish the fire.

“The quick actions of the crews also limited fire damage to the three-family home just feet away, preventing spread to the interior of that home,” the fire department posted to Facebook.

The department said there were two occupants home on the first floor and three on the third floor at the time of the fire, and two from the third floor were transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation. Two dogs and other pets were also rescued from the home, the department said.

A total of 11 residents were displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

The fire remains under investigation, but the department did say the building had working smoke alarms.